Jeff Gelles to receive 2019 BPS Kazuhito Kinosita Award in Single-Molecule Biophysics, recognizing his exceptional contributions to single-molecule studies and cross-disciplinary research. The award aims to promote further developments in the field, advancing an appreciation of single-molecule biophysics among scientists.
Researchers observed red-fronted lemurs in Madagascar chewing on millipedes to rid themselves of intestinal parasites. The animals then rubbed the area around their genitals, anuses, and tails with the chomped millipedes to treat conditions like itching and weight loss.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center have isolated two potent monoclonal antibodies that efficiently neutralized the Zaire, Sudan, and Bundibugyo ebolaviruses. These antibodies also showed protection against infection in animal models, offering a promising lead for the development of injectable antibody treatments.
Researchers from the Universities of Konstanz and Paderborn have successfully demonstrated Wannier-Stark localization in a high-purity gallium arsenide crystal. This state results in drastic changes to the electronic structure of the crystal, leading to extreme optical nonlinearity and potential chemical reactivity.
A study suggests that increased Southern Ocean upwelling may be responsible for the Holocene's 20 ppm rise in atmospheric carbon dioxide, which stabilized the climate and facilitated human civilization. This process weakened the biological pump, allowing more carbon dioxide to leak into the atmosphere.
A study of hundreds of related monkeys found individual differences in brain connectivity associated with anxious temperament. Functional connectivity within the extended amygdala is heritable and linked to early-life anxiety risk.
The Atesins used supercomputers at the Texas Advanced Computing Center to study organometallic compounds and understand the structure of a palladium catalyst. Their research revealed that the most stable form of the molecule is chair-shaped, and repulsion between this conformation and the substrate dictates the final product.
A team of researchers at Aalto University demonstrates nanoscale all-optical logic circuits, providing a vital step towards true optical computing. The study enables simple addition and subtraction operations using light, similar to a pocket calculator.
Astronomers discover rare radioactive molecule 26AlF in debris of ancient stellar merger CK Vul, revealing insights into star formation and galactic evolution. The detection marks the first time this isotope has been found outside our solar system.
A 2013 measles outbreak in New York City resulted in 58 confirmed cases, with most unvaccinated individuals affected. The outbreak, triggered by an unvaccinated adolescent's return from London, required a significant public health response, including nearly $400,000 and over 10,000 personnel hours.
Research published in BMJ Paediatrics Open found a link between parental depression and increased healthcare needs among children. The study revealed a 41% increase in emergency department attendance among children of depressed parents.
Research suggests that higher body mass index (BMI) can cause changes in the heart's structure and function in young adults, including thicker vessel walls and increased blood pressure. The study used genetic analysis to uncover evidence of a causal link between BMI and cardiovascular measurements.
A study by Penn State researchers found that poor mental health days can lead to a 1.84% drop in per capita real income growth rate, resulting in $53 billion less total income each year. Investing in mental health resources may help mitigate these effects, particularly in rural counties with limited access to services.
Raymond Stevens has made significant contributions to membrane protein structural biology technologies. His work led to ground-breaking discoveries on the structures, evolution, and therapeutic targeting of G protein-coupled receptors.
A new poll by U-M/AARP National Poll on Healthy Aging reveals that 74% of older adults support limiting opioid prescription amounts, while many struggle with safe storage and disposal of unused pills. The findings highlight the need for better counseling and resources to combat the opioid epidemic among this critical demographic.
Researchers will investigate long-term impacts of cannabis exposure on adolescent brains, seeking to understand changes in cognition and behavior that may last into adulthood. The study aims to inform evidence-based public policy decisions concerning medicinal and recreational uses of cannabis.
Researchers found reduced complexity of adult-born neurons in mice with ApoE4 compared to ApoE3-expressing mice. The study suggests that the Apolipoprotein E risk gene contributes to memory impairment by impairing new neuron development.
Researchers found that leaf-eating primates share few gut microbial characteristics, while closely related species have similar microbes regardless of diet. This suggests that host evolutionary relationships play a more significant role in shaping the gut microbiome than diet.
The study identifies at least three tears in the Indian mantle lithosphere underthrusting the Himalayas. This model explains patterns of crustal deformation and east-west extension in southern Tibet, providing insights into the region's seismic activity.
Humpback whale songs may be used for echolocation, allowing singers to analyze their surroundings and locate other whales. This challenges the long-held assumption that whale songs are primarily used for reproductive purposes, instead suggesting a more complex cognitive process at play.
Researchers have developed a new treatment that delivers an inflammation inhibitor directly to the kidneys, reversing the course of destructive nephritis. The treatment restores mitochondrial function and reduces cell death, offering hope for patients with chronic kidney disease.
A double-layered nanoparticle vaccine made with peptides has been found to effectively protect mice against the influenza A virus. The vaccine triggers immune responses of both B and T lymphocytes, providing broad cross-protection against a wide range of diverse influenza viruses.
Scientists from ITMO University discovered that the Great Pyramid can concentrate electromagnetic energy in its internal chambers and base. The research used numerical modeling and analytical methods to predict this phenomenon, which could lead to the development of nanoparticles for sensors and solar cells.
Research published in eNeuro suggests that cannabidiol can prevent nausea in rats by increasing serotonin levels in the brain. The findings implicate the endocannabinoid system and its role in regulating nausea, opening up new therapeutic opportunities.
A team of researchers from Beihang University has fabricated a new type of nonprecious metal-based electrocatalyst, VNQD-NG, for oxygen reduction reaction. The material exhibits high electrocatalytic activity, long durability, and high selectivity for ORR.
Researchers developed a gene therapy that restored function to the olfactory system in genetically modified mice. The therapy increased cilia and sensory neuron responses, leading to restored connections between neurons and behaviors in odor-guided tasks.
Computer vision algorithms have made significant progress in tasks such as object identification and categorization. However, they struggle with determining whether two objects in an image are the same or different. Researchers at Brown University found that this limitation stems from the inability of these algorithms to individuate ob...
Researchers have developed a new class of endoscopic imaging catheters that overcome the limitations of current systems, achieving higher resolution and functionality. The nano-optic endoscope incorporates metalenses into its design, enabling high-resolution imaging at extended depth of focus without complex optical components.
A new study in Nature Astronomy finds that ancient blue crystals trapped in meteorites show evidence of the early Sun's intense activity, including more eruptions and a stronger stream of charged particles. The crystals, formed over 4.5 billion years ago, preserved chemical records of the young Sun's interactions with its surroundings.
Researchers at Marshall University identified GPR68 as a target for studying T cell activation and pro-inflammatory functions. The study found that blocking the GPR68 pathway may be a potential therapy for chronic inflammatory diseases.
The Analytics and Data Science Institute created nine research laboratories to tackle business and public service data problems. Students from various backgrounds collaborate to understand statistical and computer science perspectives, enabling them to communicate effectively with non-experts.
A pilot study by University of Michigan researchers revealed that poor communication between nurses and doctors is a primary cause of patient care mistakes. Nurses often communicate indirectly, which confuses physicians, and the hospital hierarchy puts nurses at a power disadvantage, making them afraid to speak the truth.
Archaeological findings reveal copper band and cremated remains at a burial site in coastal Georgia, dating back to the Late Archaic Period. The copper originated from the Great Lakes region, indicating long-distance cultural exchange among indigenous groups.
A new IIASA-led research suggests that climate mitigation schemes in agriculture could lead to more widespread hunger and food insecurity than the direct impacts of climate change. The study highlights the need for smarter, inclusive policies that prioritize development goals alongside emissions reduction.
Researchers discovered that the Fanconi anemia DNA repair pathway plays a crucial role in fixing CRISPR breaks and increasing the efficiency of homology-directed repair. This new understanding could help boost CRISPR-Cas9 editing's success rates, particularly for treating diseases like sickle cell anemia.
A study of Australian university students found that most underestimates female and male fertility declines, with only 38% and 18.3% correctly identifying the ages. The study highlights the difficulty in balancing competing life goals with achieving parenthood at the right time.
A recent study published in Nature Ecology and Evolution found that bacteria undergo substantial extinctions over time, with estimates suggesting between 45,000 to 95,000 bacterial lineages going extinct in the last million years alone. This contradicts widely held scientific thinking that microbe taxa rarely die off.
Researchers have developed a novel delivery system using magnetic nanoparticles to target chemotherapy drugs to spinal cord tumors, which are difficult to reach due to the blood-brain barrier. This approach shows promise in treating intramedullary spinal cord tumors with improved survival rates and reduced side effects.
Researchers have discovered that women with low-grade serous ovarian cancer and a BRAF gene mutation experience excellent responses to BRAF inhibitor treatments. This finding is encouraging for patients who may not respond to conventional chemotherapy.
A new mouse model has been developed to study bone metastasis, allowing researchers to inject a large number of cancer cells without causing death. The model enables the detection of bone metastasis in the hind limbs with high efficiency and provides insights into cancer cell dormancy and reactivation.
Researchers at IST Austria have identified the signal and receptor that coordinate root cap loss and regrowth. The team discovered a small peptide called IDL1 that diffuses through the root tip and is perceived by cells in the root apical meristem, enabling communication between outer and inner root cap cells.
Researchers found a gene that recruits immune cells in alopecia areata, an autoimmune disease causing hair loss. They discovered this gene is turned off in various cancers, protecting them from the immune system. By turning it back on, tumors can be made vulnerable to immunotherapy.
In a recent study, biologists found that great tits possess remarkable impulse control, beating 80% of attempts to access food in a test. This cognitive ability surpasses many other animals and is comparable to intelligent species like ravens and chimpanzees.
Researchers found that estrogen receptor modulators increase the effectiveness of HIV latency reversal therapies. Exposure to estrogen limits the emergence of HIV from latency, suggesting a potential factor in future eradication therapies.
Researchers from UNIGE have developed a portable device called TBIcheck that analyzes proteins in the blood to diagnose mild traumatic brain injury. The device can detect four biomarkers associated with brain injuries, including H-FABP, Interleukin-10, S100B, and GFAP.
BACE inhibitors may fail Alzheimer's trials due to impaired differentiation of newborn cells, according to a study published in eNeuro. The research suggests that partial BACE inhibition could represent an alternative strategy for reducing AD pathology while maintaining adult neurogenesis.
Tropical Depression 16W formed despite vertical wind shear in the northwestern Pacific Ocean. NASA's Terra satellite detected elongated and fragmented clouds indicating potential heavy rainfall.
The Biophysical Society named Yves De Koninck its 2019 Emily M. Gray Award winner for his work in developing transdisciplinary training initiatives in neurophysics and neurophotonics. The award recognizes his dedication to mentoring the next generation of scientists.
Researchers at Indiana University have identified 'hotspots' in DNA where genetic mutations are significantly elevated, including areas with repeated chemical letters and specific patterns of three letters. This study provides a roadmap for identifying similar trouble spots in human DNA.
A landmark study by Newcastle University researchers finds that heavy, short rain storms are intensifying rapidly in Australia, leading to increased flash flood and urban flooding risks. The study, published in Nature Climate Change, shows that these extreme events are substantially larger than expected under climate change.
Researchers have developed a theoretical model describing the mechanical properties of lipid membranes, revealing how viruses infiltrate cells. The study highlights the importance of cell membrane elasticity and energy costs in viral fusion.
The NSF has awarded a five-year, $6.4 million grant to the Sevilleta LTER site in central New Mexico to understand how environmental changes affect dryland ecosystems over time. Researchers will study the transition from grassland to shrubland and the impact of climate variability on ecosystem dynamics.
New solar energy research from Arizona State University demonstrates that silicon-based tandem photovoltaic modules can become increasingly attractive in the US market, with potential to reduce costs and increase efficiency. The study found that 32% efficient anticipated tandem modules can cost more than three times that of projected 2...
Researchers found that patients with severe depression have decreased levels of acetyl-L-carnitine in their blood, which may indicate a specific subtype of depression. The study suggests that LAC screening could be used as an effective biomarker for diagnosing treatment-resistant depression.
At least 1% of the US population has an identifiable genetic risk for cancer or heart disease that can be detected through genomic screening. Implementing routine genomic screening could lead to significant benefits, but more work is needed to develop functioning models.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have developed a new 3D printing method that creates porous microlattice structures in battery electrodes, resulting in fourfold increase in specific capacity and twofold increase in areal capacity. The technology has potential applications in consumer electronics, medical devices, aerospace, a...
Physicists at the University of Tokyo have discovered a new method to generate electricity in special materials called Weyl magnets, exploiting temperature gradients. This could lead to the creation of low-power, low-maintenance electronic devices.
A new protective metamaterial 'cladding' prevents light from leaking out of curvy pathways in computer chips, allowing for more efficient processing. This breakthrough enables the integration of photonic with electric circuitry, increasing communication speed and reducing power consumption.
A class X-2.2 and major class X-9.3 solar flare erupted on the morning of September 6, causing a strong radio blackout over most of the sunlit side of Earth, including the Caribbean. The disruption affected shortwave radio communications used by amateurs and professionals in emergency response efforts.
A new study suggests that student loans hinder wealth accumulation among black and Hispanic adults. By age 30, these individuals had significantly lower net worth ($36,000) and financial assets ($11,780), compared to their peers without debt. The study highlights the importance of college education in building wealth among minority you...